Photo: W Series
Virgin Racing has signed W Series championship leader Alice Powell as its development and simulator driver.
Powell drove for the team in Formula E’s 2020 rookie test in Marrakech, and also came fourth in the final season of FE’s Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy support series.
There are two weekends remaining of the 2020-21 FE season, and it would be expected that Powell has been signed to support the team’s package for the next season which begins in six months’ time. Virgin currently leads the team’s points.
“I am really happy to be joining the Envision Virgin Racing team”, said Powell.
“I have already worked with quite a few of the guys when I did my rookie test in 2020 and I am super excited to be part of such a fantastic team.
“I’ve seen how hard everyone works at the factory and to have this opportunity to help the team, who have a great driver line-up as well in Robin [Frijns] and Nick [Cassidy], is incredible.
“We have a great car and great drivers, and I am very proud to be able to support the team in the simulator and contribute to the results.”
The team’s managing director Sylvain Filippi addded: “I am delighted to welcome Alice to the team; we have already seen her performance and what she can deliver during the Rookie Test she did with us and are very pleased to have her onboard.
“She brings with her a lot of skill, determination, and some fantastic experience behind the wheel. I have no doubt that she will constitute a very valuable asset for us, and the team is looking forward to working with her.”
Powell is the only active junior single-seater racer with an FE role, while former FIA Formula 3 Championship driver Jake Hughes does simulator work for Mercedes’ Formula 1 and FE teams.